West Nile Virus: Beware the Buzz

Jul 10, 2023

Recent heavy rainfall across Texas has triggered a surge in mosquito populations, sparking alarm among experts at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. With the increased risk of West Nile Virus (WNV), a prevalent mosquito-borne disease in the United States, individuals, pet owners, and livestock keepers are urged to take precautionary measures.

J.D. Ragland, Ph.D., an agriculture and natural resources agent, has confirmed positive WNV cases in Randall County. In response, Ragland advises everyone to remain vigilant and take steps to minimize the risk of transmission.

Eliminating standing water in lakes, trenches, and even household items like flowerpots and wheelbarrows is crucial. Backyard pools should be drained if not in use, and household pets should be monitored closely, ideally limiting their access to indoor spaces.

Wearing long sleeves and pants can provide additional protection, especially during the active feeding times of mosquitoes at dawn and dusk. Regularly applying EPA-registered mosquito repellents containing DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or picaridin is strongly recommended.

Animals can be safeguarded through annual vaccinations against WNV, which are offered at most veterinarian hospitals. For horses, it is advisable to administer the initial dose as soon as possible if they have not been previously vaccinated. Already vaccinated horses should receive a spring booster shot or appropriate immunization ahead of mosquito season.

Recognizing the symptoms of WNV infection is crucial. Horses may exhibit a high fever, incoordination, inability to stand, loss of appetite, or acute death. In humans, symptoms may include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, muscle weakness, and, in severe cases, convulsions, numbness, paralysis, and coma.

To stay informed, refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidelines on WNV safety precautions. Ongoing WNV testing is being conducted throughout Texas, with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reporting the latest West Nile activity in various counties, which can be found here: DSHS West Nile graph.

As health officials work to combat the WNV outbreak, it is vital for individuals, pet owners, and livestock keepers to remain proactive in reducing mosquito populations and taking necessary precautions to protect themselves and their animals from this airborne threat.

Source : wisconsinagconnection

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.